Temperature-expansion indicator for siding panels

ABSTRACT

A temperature indicator for a siding panel senses panel temperature and indicates on a graphic scale the corresponding effect of thermal expansion over differences in temperature. The temperature indicator can be various forms of contact thermometer, temperature strip or sensor and can be integral or temporarily affixed during installation or for later assessment for correct panel gapping. The indicator shows how closely the edge of the panel can be placed to an adjacent surface while avoiding interference over a range of thermal expansion temperatures.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a division of application Ser. No. 10/700,994, filed Nov. 4,2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,939,036.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for installation ofcomponents such as building components, especially exterior-finishingpanels such as polymer siding, which components are subject to expansionand contraction with changes in temperature.

PRIOR ART

Siding products for facing exterior building walls can resembletraditional wooden clapboards, cedar shakes and the like and areavailable in durable low-maintenance materials such as aluminum andvarious polymers. Simulative modern siding panels often are made toresemble traditional wood siding materials. A traditional wooden sidingmaterial might be installed in overlapped tiers or courses, for examplesingle horizontally elongated clapboards or single rows of discretesingle shingles, placed adjacent to one another and individually nailed.Modern siding materials also are installed in overlapping courses, buteach course of the siding panel material can simulate two or moreoverlapped courses of traditional materials such as clapboards orshingles.

In the case of simulated shingles or cedar shakes, each integral sidingpanel simulates at least one row of laterally adjacent shingles, andusually simulates two or more courses that appear to overlap vertically.The siding panel is supplied in convenient lengths for handling andinstallation, for example four or eight or twelve feet. Thus, in thedirection of elongation, a siding panel might represent one or moreclapboards, or perhaps a few simulated shingles or as many as severaldozen shingles. The siding panel typically simulates an installed arrayof traditional siding elements such as boards or shingles. Therefore,the siding panel reflects the shape of the boards or shingles and alsothe gaps between them, and their traditional installation as overlappingtiers or courses.

More or less complicated joints affix abutting and/or overlapping edgesof panels to other adjacent panels, both end to end and in overlappedcourses. A simple joint may involve at least a slight overlap. A morecomplicated joint can have inter-engaging shapes that fit together tobridge the joint. A combination of overlap and engagement isadvantageous to ensure coverage of the substrate (the building wall),for example with one panel having a web that extends flat along thesubstrate for a short distance under the other. Various types of jointsare known.

One object of such paneling is to cover the substrate. Another object isattractively to simulate traditional building materials such asclapboards or shingles. It is highly desirable to avoid gaps at whichthe substrate is visible. It is also desirable to conceal joints betweensiding panels. One potentially effective way to conceal the jointsbetween panels is to structure them to resemble gaps between traditionalsiding elements such as the gaps between installed shingles. This iscomplicated by the fact that the siding panels need freedom to expandand contract relative to the substrate, with changes in temperature.

The siding panels are hung in overlapping courses. Proceeding from apoint of low elevation, for example, a panel is positioned and nailed tothe building by passing fasteners (e.g., nails) through the top edge ofthe panel, normally through a nailing strip having holes to receive thefasteners. The next upper course overlaps and conceals the nailing stripalong the top edge of the next lower course. As the panels areinstalled, each section of paneling is joined to the next adjacentpanel(s) on the same level or course. Locking structures or referenceridges can be provided to affix the bottom edge of the upper coursecorrectly relative to the overlapped lower course, and butt jointstructures can affix panels end-to-end in the direction of theirelongation. However, there must be clearance for the panels to expandwithout interference, and sufficient overlap or depth of jointengagement so that when the panels contract, they remain adequatelyattached.

Thermal expansion is a particular issue with elongated materials andmaterials that have a relatively large index of thermal expansion (suchas vinyl and other polymeric materials) compared to a building wall as asubstrate. Apart from differences in index of thermal expansion, thereis differential heating. The siding is exposed to the elements and ismore prone to temperature cycling than the building substrate that iscovered by the siding panel, and thus shielded from heating and coolinginfluences. Passing sunlight, for example, can cause a very substantialbut temporary temperature increase that may be limited to a particularbuilding wall or even a particular exposed section of a wall.

In order to allow for thermal expansion, siding is hung or suspendedfrom the substrate or building structure so as to permit relativedisplacement. Clearance is needed in the direction of elongation of thepanels (in butt joints and at the ends of courses). Clearance also isneeded in the perpendicular direction if there is an associated overlapjoint between courses. Typically the panels are elongated horizontally(although not necessarily so), so accommodations are made in particularfor the panels to expand or shrink in that direction. For example, theend-to-end butt joints between panels on a course are structured topermit a range of engagement depths while maintaining some overlap. Trimmoldings can be provided to conceal a gap between the panels and insideand outside corners and at framing window or door openings. The gapgrows smaller and larger with heating and cooling of the siding panels.The moldings have flanges that extend over the gap to cover the ends ofthe panels.

In order to permit expansion, the panels are hung using loosely affixednails or other fasteners, at least some of which are received in slotsrather than round holes, the slots being elongated in the direction ofpanel elongation. For example, each panel may have a single round holeat a midpoint for receiving a nail that sets a reference point, e.g., atthe center of the panel, which point will become fixed relative to thewall when the fastener is set in place. Proceeding outwardly from thereference point, the nails or other fasteners are received in slots. Theinstaller typically places each nail at a space from both opposite endsof slot and does not set the nail so deeply that the nail head bearsagainst the siding. As the panel expands or contracts with changes intemperature, elongation or contraction moves the panel carrying theslots, relative to the fixed nails or other fasteners.

If appropriate attention is not paid to thermal expansion issues, asiding project can fail. Nails or other fasteners that are wronglyplaced can encounter an end of a mounting slot and become displaced. Ifa panel is blocked from expanding with heat, the panel may bowoutwardly. A bowing panel can lift the nails that hold the panel inplace. An expanding panel can exert pressure that disturbs the positionof trim moldings or other panels, or may cause a joint to pop apart.

Expansion and contraction occur repeatedly over time with cycles ofheating and cooling. Back and forth pressure can detach a referencefastener. If the expansion and contraction of a set of one or morecontiguous panels is applied to the same point (for example theexpansion and contraction of several locked-together panels adds), avisible gap can open and may even expose the substrate.

Installation instructions provided by siding manufacturers provideinformation on how exactly to hang siding so as to accommodate thermalexpansion and contraction. Nevertheless, it is sometimes difficult forthe installer to comply with such instructions because the correctinstallation procedure depends on the temperature of each individualpanel at the time of its installation.

The installer naturally has at least a general idea about the ambienttemperature in which he/she is working and might estimate the airtemperature reasonably accurately. However, the ambient temperaturevaries over time, and the local temperature of the panels varies. Inmoving the panels around, e.g., from vehicle to a ready area to theirfinal placement on the building, the temperature of the panels canchange substantially. Particularly when panels are placed on thebuilding, possibly in the sun or in the shade, temperature variationsoccur that are specific to a relatively isolated area and may varysubstantially from ambient air temperature. What is needed is a way todetermine and respond to the temperature of the siding panelsindividually at the time of installation.

There are various forms of temperature measurement devices available,but most measure ambient air temperature. It would be possible toprovide a surface temperature sensor such as an optical pyrometer tomeasure the temperature of an isolated area such as a spot on a givenpanel. However the measurement apparatus is expensive and it is unwieldyto require the installer to deploy such an apparatus to take a readingon each panel when installing the panel. Therefore, the installergenerally assumes that the panels are approximately at the ambienttemperature of the air. This can cause expansion/contraction problemsthat arise during and after installation.

It is normally the duty of the installer to space the siding panels inview of the ambient temperature, according to specific instructions. Theinstallation instructions, for example, may contain a table of panelspacing versus temperature, and typically instruct that all jointsbetween defined points on endwise abutted panels be gapped at a distancethat is determined as a function of temperature. In anticipation of theexpansion/contraction performance of the panels, when the ambienttemperature is high, only small gaps are provided between edges ofabutting panels that may interfere because the panel is not expected toexpand much more. If the ambient temperature is low, then larger gapsshould be provided. The gap should be large enough never to closecompletely at the highest temperature encountered, which might cause therespective edges to come into contact and exert a force. Conversely, thegap should be small enough so as not to gap visibly, or worse yet toexpose the substrate, at the coldest temperature encountered.

Warranty claims are made from time to time because bowing occurs, jointsopen or fasteners become detached. Although such claims might properlybe made if there is a problem with the siding, or perhaps with theinstructions for hanging the siding, it is likely that the root of theproblem is an inadvertent failure to comply with instructions respectinginstallation at a particular temperature. However, when investigating awarranty claim made long after an installation, it is typically notpossible to determine the precise temperature conditions at the time ofinstallation. Some technique is needed to assist the installer indealing with temperature issues and pertinent temperature variations. Itwould be highly desirable if that technique also could provide a way torefer back to the time of installation, so as to determine whether aninstallation at a previous time and under possibly different temperatureconditions, was or was not accomplished in keeping with themanufacturer's installation instructions.

A very high quality panel installation job requires a good deal ofattention to precise placement of the panels. If the installation is notprecise, the gaps between siding panels can be unduly visible. If theinstallation is done correctly, then the gaps are all about the samewidth at a given temperature. Preferably, in siding that simulatesshingles or cedar shakes, the gaps between simulated shingles or shakeson two panels that abut endwise at a joint are not visibly differentfrom the gaps between simulated shingles at an intermediate area of anintegral siding panel. The gaps between simulated shingles are small,for example, 0.125 or 0.250 inches.

The decorative gap between simulated shingles is on the same order ofmagnitude as the variation in the dimensions of a nominal length ofvinyl panel during routine temperature cycling. If the installereyeballs the spacing between panels to make the gap between panels aboutthe same as the gap between the shingles, interference may occur (theinter-panel gap may close completely) at high temperatures.

For example, if the coefficient or index of thermal expansion of vinylsiding material is typically about 3.5×10⁻⁵ in./in./° F. and the panelis six feet long (72 inches), the panel expands in length by about0.0025 inch per degree F. Assuming that such a panel is 72 inches longat 0° F., it is 72.10 inches at 40° F. and 72.25 at 100° F. The ambientair outside a building might be 40° F., but at the same time the surfacetemperature of siding in direct sun on the south-facing side of abuilding might easily be 100° F. Inasmuch as the width of the gapbetween simulated shingles is of approximately the same width as theextent of thermal expansion, and thermal expansion and contraction occurregularly, problems can arise.

One way to deal with expansion problems is to limit the panels to arelatively short length. This complicates installation compared toinstalling longer panels. What is needed is a way to install siding in amanner that is precisely tied to the temperature of the particular pieceof siding at the time of installation. Assuming that such a need is met,what is also needed is a way to determine whether the installation iscorrect, even if the temperature has later changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an inventive aspect, these problems are resolved byproviding an integral or temporarily deployed temperature sensor fordetermining actual current panel temperature, independent of ambient airtemperature. In addition, a gap spacing indicator is associated with thepanel joint. The temperature sensor can have a readout that is laid outspatially to correspond to the expansion of the siding panel at thetemperature to which the sensor responds, the scale of the temperaturereadout thus providing a gap spacing indicator wherein thermal expansioncharacteristics are read out as a function of temperature.Alternatively, a temperature sensor can provide a numeric sensed paneltemperature value and the corresponding gap is found on a separatelyassociated temperature-versus-spacing graphic pattern or like reference.By placing the temperature sensor against the panel (or affixing thesensor or providing it integrally), the installer or a troubleshootersubsequently can determine the correct gap at the actual sensed paneltemperature, for correct installation and/or as a technique to assessthe accuracy of panel mounting with respect to thermal expansionclearance issues, at some later time and/or temperature.

Thus according to one aspect, the invention provides a siding panel anda temperature sensor and included or associated indicator thatcorrespond in their temperature responses, one by expansion and theother by indicating a position or gap that corresponds to the expansioncharacteristic of the panel at the associated temperature.

The siding panel has a thermal expansion characteristic by which thematerial of the panel expands and contracts with temperature. That is,the panel expands (or contracts) by a predetermined distance, per unitof material length, per unit of temperature difference. The temperaturesensor is arranged to indicate the expansion distance between at leasttwo temperatures and preferably over an expected temperature range. Theindication can be presented on or parallel to an axis of elongation ofsiding panels between joints, for example horizontally between panelsthat are butt jointed with adjacent panels on each course, over areference distance. The reference distance can extend between an edge ofthe panel at a butt joint, which edge may interfere with an adjacentpanel if improperly gapped, and a spaced point of reference. The spacedpoint of reference can be the opposite end of the panel, but also can bea fixed point such as a centrally located fastener reception hole.

The temperature indicator has a temperature responsive indicating scalespanning a distance with indications of gaps at least for twotemperatures, and preferably is laid out to encompass the full range ofexpected temperatures to which the siding may be exposed, showing theeffect of thermal expansion on the relative position of an edge orsimilar reference point. The temperature indicating spatial positionsare placed to correspond to the expansion and contractioncharacteristics of the panel.

According to another aspect, the thermal sensor used to provide thiscorresponding indication of temperature and expansion can include achemical temperature indicator such as a thermotropic composition, anoptical temperature indicator such as a liquid crystal indicator orthermochromic element, with zones that change opacity or some othervisual characteristic at given temperatures, an expansion material orfluid, a bimetal indicator or another temperature measurement devicewith an output that can be spatially presented so as to correspond tothe temperature expansion of a material having the necessary nominaltemperature expansion characteristic over a predetermined useful span ofmaterial length.

The temperature indicator, for a particular material or siding panel,senses the material temperature of the panel and indicates on a graphicscale or is referenced to a separate graphic scale, wherein thecorresponding effect of thermal expansion at such temperature isrepresented as an edge position used to set a gap. As the temperaturediffers, a different edge position is identified to account for thesubsequent difference in temperature and thermal expansion of saidparticular material over a given length. The temperature sensor andcorresponding position indication scale enable highly precise mountingin the case of a siding panel or highly precise positioning in otherapplications.

The temperature indicator can be of various forms that provide either aspatial indication of expansion or a numeric indication that isconvertible to a spatial indication, for example by pitching thetemperature scale to represent material expansion or providing a numericreadout referenced to a spatial scale plotting temperature to expansion.A contact thermometer, temperature strip or similar contact sensor canbe provided integrally with the panel, or temporarily affixed or held inplace during installation or later assessment for correct panel gappingor mounting. The indicator shows how closely the edge of the panel canbe placed to an adjacent surface while avoiding interference over arange of thermal expansion temperatures. In a post-installationassessment, the indicator also shows whether the spacing duringinstallation, which may have been at a different temperature, wascorrect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features and advantages of the invention, as well as otheraspects and routine extensions of the invention, are apparent from thefollowing detailed description of examples and preferred embodiments, tobe considered together with the accompanying drawings, wherein the samereference numbers have been used throughout to refer to the samefunctioning parts, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view showing the present invention applied to theassembly of two siding panel sections, namely with a temperatureindicator laid out to correspond with the thermal expansion propertiesof the siding panel, and useful for precise panel spacing andassessment.

FIG. 2 is a detailed elevation view showing the region of the gapbetween one panel and a next panel, the latter panel being shown by abroken line, and the temperature indicator having a visible markindicating the current temperature of the siding panel.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a full size siding panel, having areference opening for fixing a known point on the panel.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective showing a temperature indicatoraccording to the invention, attached in position on a siding panel andhaving a chemical or liquid crystal temperature indication.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view showing a temperature-to-expansion indicatortool having visible temperature change indicators that are more widelyspaced than hatch lines that indicate the associated expansion space.

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration showing a contact thermometersubstantially as in FIG. 4, but embodied as a tool for use with sidinghaving corresponding temperature expansion characteristics.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing that the invention is applicable toother forms of temperature indicators such as expansion materials,bimetals and the like.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view showing an inventive embodiment wherein atemperature indicator on one panel at a joint provides a temperaturemeasurement to be used in assembly of the joint.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the area of the joint shown in FIG. 8,wherein the temperature indicator provides a temperature indication foruse with a gap indicator at the other panel at the joint, the gapindicator being labeled for temperatures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A number of exemplary embodiments of the invention are described hereinwith reference to the drawings. These embodiments are examples intendedto demonstrate aspects of the invention in different forms orseparately. Not all the aspects are required in all embodiments of theinvention, and the illustrated embodiments should be regarded asexemplary rather than limiting.

For example, the illustrative embodiments discussed concern buildingsiding materials of the sort typically installed in horizontallyelongated courses on external building surfaces that are vertical andflat. The nature of the installation surface and whether or not thecourses are elongated horizontally, are subject to variation. Forexample, the surface could be sloping (such as a roof) or curved. Thedirection of elongation of the panels could be vertical or inclinedinstead of horizontal. The application could be an exterior or interiorbuilding application or an application that is not related to a buildingper se. Therefore, in this description, terms denoting relativedirections and orientations such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,”“vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” should beconstrued to refer to the orientation as then being described or asshown in the drawing under discussion.

Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected”and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein elements areintegral parts of a whole, or are secured or attached to one anothereither directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well asboth movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expresslydescribed otherwise or as apparent in view of the described functions ofsuch elements.

Referring to FIG. 1 two siding panels 22 are shown. The panels 22 can beof various sizes, shapes and types, for example representing cedarshakes, wood shingles, clapboards or other materials. Each siding panel22 encompasses an area, namely a distance over a span of horizontalelongation in this example 25, and a span of height. In the exampleshown, the siding panels 22 are embodied to represent two courses 26 oftraditional wooden material such as cedar shakes 28. Each panel 22 isintegrally formed by extrusion or injection molding, for example ofpolypropylene, vinyl or another material. Each panel 22 representsseveral individual shakes or shingles 28, separated by representationsof inter-shingle gaps 32 that actually are variations in surface heightas opposed to through-gaps between portions of the integral panelmaterial (although actual through-gaps would also be possible. Thesimulated shingles 28 in the courses 26 shown are mounted by means ofnails or other fasteners (not shown) passed through a nailing strip 34along the top edge.

The panels 22 are subject to differential thermal expansion relative tothe building wall that they cover (not shown). In order to permit eachpanel 22 to expand and contract relative to the building wall, thenailing strip 34 has elongated openings or slots 36 that receive thefasteners and permit some movement of the siding relative to the wallduring thermal expansion and contraction.

The two panels 22 are shown during a phase of assembly or mounting inFIG. 1. The panels 22 meet at a butt joint 40. Specifically, the twopanels 22 have edges 42, 43 that are brought nearly into abutment at thejoint 40, spaced by a joint gap 44 that varies with expansion andcontraction. Gap 44 occurs between the extreme edge 42 of the endmostsimulated shingle 28 of the overlapping panel 22 and the presentedvisible edge 43 of the endmost shingle 28 of the adjacent panel 22. Thisadjacent panel has an apron or flap 52 that underlies the joint 40.

It would be advantageous for appearance purposes if the gap 44 betweenthe integral panels 22 (namely the gap 44 between their endmost shingles28), was of substantially the same width as the gap between thesimulated shingles 28 on each integral panel 22. If the inter-panel gap44 is indistinguishable from the intra-panel gaps between shingles 28,the distinction between the panels 22 is concealed. The panels asmounted across joint 40 then more closely resemble an array of shinglesthat are not divided into separate panels 22. The masking effect can beenhanced by using a random variation of gap widths between simulatedshingles 28. It is not possible to make the inter-panel and intra-panelgaps equal because the inter-panel gaps 44 vary with differences inthermal expansion of panels 22. The width of the gap 44 between edges42, 43 of the simulated shingles across the butt joint varies withtemperature by a much greater extent than the simulated intra-panel gapsbetween the integrally connected simulated shingles 28.

As shown in FIG. 1 and in more detail in FIG. 2, the panels 22 have buttjoints 40 that partly overlap. The left edge of one panel 22 isstructured to join with the right edge of another panel 22 in each case.Insofar as it is necessary to trim the panels to fit an area on a wallto be sided, such as an area between inside and outside corners, windowframes, door jambs and the like, all the cuts are made at a distancefrom any joint 40. The cut ends are concealed by moldings and coveringflanges at the ends of each course. The joints 40 between panels 22 invisible areas are made as shown by using complementary panel structuresthat are intended to appear the same as gaps between simulated shingles28.

One of the panels 22 at a joint 40 has an underlying apron or flap 52that lays against the substrate (such as a building wall—not shown). Theother of the panels 22 at the joint 40 extends over the apron or flap 52so as to position the endmost simulated shingle edge near to thecorresponding end most edge of the next adjacent shingle and panelacross the butt joint 40.

To provide sufficient temperature expansion clearance, it is necessarythat the joint 40 contain a gap 44 between edges 42, 43, at all but thevery highest temperature conditions that the siding will ever encounter.As a result, a strip of the apron 52 adjacent to the corresponding edge43 is revealed. This strip may be larger or smaller, but must always besmaller than the width of apron 52 at all temperature conditions, sothat the underlying substrate (the building) remains protected anddecoratively concealed.

Depending on the range of temperatures expected, it is advantageous toset the width of the gap 44 between potentially-abutting edges 42, 43 ofthe shingles or other forms at the extreme ends of the panels 22, as afunction of the actual temperature of the panels at the time of itsinstallation. The gap 44 should be wide enough to avoid interference bycontact between edges 42, 43 if the temperature should rise. The gap 44should be small enough to avoid leaving an unsightly wide gap if thetemperature should fall. If the gap can be made dependably small, apron52 can be relatively narrow, thereby saving material.

According to an aspect of the invention, a system is provided forpositioning a siding panel 22 or other building component subject toexpansion and contraction as a function of temperature, to optimallyaccount for the gap 44 between panels. The siding panel or otherbuilding component or element 22 comprises a material having apredetermined thermal expansion characteristic over a temperature range.This characteristic is a product specification that is generally statedby the manufacturer of the siding within tolerance limits. For vinyl orpolypropylene siding of the type shown, the coefficient or index ofthermal expansion is on the order of 3.5×10⁻⁵ in./in./° F.

Thermal expansion is a well known challenge for the installer of polymersiding and other materials. In order to set the gap between panels atthe appropriate width to accommodate changes in the size of the panels,a predetermined gap can be determined or calculated if the temperatureof the panel is known accurately. Certain manufacturers supply panels inwhich a set of hatch marks are molded into the panel material torepresent expansion at different temperatures. Such hatch marks are usedto choose the gap at which panel elements are mounted, and may belabeled to show recommended gaps at two or more temperatures. However,the temperature of the panels is seldom accurately known and may differsubstantially from the ambient air temperature.

Therefore, hatch mark labels, per se, representing nominal spacing as afunction of temperature do not show or help to show what gap width isnominal or correct for conditions at the time of panel installation.Subsequent assessment of panel gapping is likewise not possible becauseone cannot relate the panel gapping dimensions to present paneltemperature and/or to an unknown panel temperature at some previous timeof installation. Furthermore, even an assembler who works diligently toset joint gaps accurately to the nominal indicated distance for theambient temperature at the time of installation may experiencefrustrating thermal expansion problems because the panels individuallyor as a group may differ substantially from ambient air temperature.

According to one aspect of the invention, the temperature of a panel 22is sensed during installation (and subsequently) using a temperaturesensor that is closely associated with and preferably is directlyattached to a panel at or near a joint. According to another aspect, theindicated temperature can be referenced to one or more gap indicatingmarkers, preferably molded into the siding at and/or adjacent to an edgethat may interfere with an edge of an abutting panel at a joint, whereina specific nominal spacing is indicated as a function of paneltemperature. According to yet another aspect, the gap spacing as afunction of temperature can optionally be built into the temperaturesensor, for example expressing the sensed panel temperature as adistance that is used to set the gap. In that case, the temperatureindication can be connected graphically to, or numerically referencedto, an adjacent or nearby gap indicating graphic. In this way, thesensed temperature of the panel can be more or less directly convertedinto a nominal gap for setting thermally affected dimensions, using avisual indicator. The panel temperature is read out spatially or isreferenced to spatial indicia.

More particularly, the invention provides a temperature sensing element62 that presents the sensed temperature as a point in a spatial range64, or references the sensed temperature to a point in the spatialrange, the specific point corresponding to the thermalexpansion/contraction characteristics of the panel 22 at the sensedtemperature. The invention provides accurate panel temperature gappingbecause the sensed panel temperature is shown as or cross referenced toa spatial expected thermal expansion attribute. The temperature providesan indicating reference to assess the variation in size and gapping atjoint 40 as a function of sensed panel temperature.

Referring to FIG. 1, temperature sensor 62 is provided and is mounted orplaced in a position to respond thermally to the panel or other element22, i.e., to detect the temperature of the panel or other element 22.This temperature may differ from the temperature of the ambient air, forexample as in the case when installing siding panels on a sunlit face ofa building. Thermal sensor 62 senses the current temperature of thepanel 22, for example by placement or mounting in direct thermal contactwith the panel, at least for a time sufficient to determine the paneltemperature.

Temperature sensor 62 is a form of thermometer but that thermometer isdimensioned to provide a form of indication that can be coordinated withor cross referenced to the thermal expansion properties of the sidingmaterial. For example, the temperature can be indicated as a point alonga distance between two points that represent respective lengths ofmaterial at maximum and minimum temperatures bracketing the presenttemperature. This point can be indicated directly or indirectly. Fordirect readout, the temperature can be shown by a visually distinctlightening, darkening, opacity or the like at a point along a scale. Itis also possible to provide a scale of sensed temperature as a numerictemperature value, e.g., degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius, etc., or a pointon a scale, and then to cross reference that temperature to a point onan expansion scale that is labeled or positioned to enable thetemperature to identify a particular point along the distance betweenpoints.

According to an inventive aspect and as shown in FIG. 2, the temperatureof the panel 22 is read out spatially in one embodiment, as acharacteristic expansion distance or position at a point 75 along aspatial scale or range 64 according to the current sensed temperature,the point in the spatial range 64 of thermal expansion corresponding tothe clearance available over a range of siding temperatures. This pointcan be associated with a numeric temperature label 75, as in theembodiment shown in FIG. 4. In an alternative arrangement, thetemperature indication can be graphically connected to indicate anexpansion distance as in the embodiment of FIG. 5. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 8 and 9, the temperature is indicated by a temperature indicatorthat reads out a temperature value of one of the panels at a joint, andthe installer can refer to indicia that are molded, printed or otherwiseprovided adjacent to one of the edges 42, 43 to be gapped, the indicialabeling a range of different gap distances by corresponding temperaturefigures. In that case the installer matches the measured temperature tothe indicated gap.

In the embodiments wherein the presentation of sensed panel temperatureis graphic, i.e., is presented as a position in a range 64, and also inthe embodiments wherein a nominal gap distance is related to atemperature measurement (graphically or by labeling), the precise gapversus temperature is predetermined. The gap represents the extent ofexpansion of a predetermined thermally expansive body, namely a sidingpanel or other element that has a known length in the pertinentexpansion direction, and is made of a material having a knowncoefficient of expansion. Therefore, the pitch or incremental distanceof the temperature indication scale per degree of temperature accordingto one aspect provides a temperature expansion measure, or according toanother aspect provides a cross reference to a gap scale that likewiseprovides a measure of expansion as a function of temperature.

This expansion measure is related by visual presentation of thetemperature measurement as a point along a range, or by providing anassociated indicator or label that associates temperature with thecorresponding expansion point along the range. In either case the resultis a visual indication of temperature versus distance relationship of apotentially interfering edge, from a reference point on the siding panelor similar building component located at a distance from the edge, andbased on the actual sensed panel temperature. Thus, a difference intemperature is represented by a spatial distance or position along thescale or range of temperature 64, but that position is coordinated withthermal expansion of the length of material between the point of thetemperature indication and the remote reference point, spaced apartalong a direction of elongation that is aligned with the scale oftemperature 64.

The basis of the spatial pitch of the temperature is the mathematicalproduct of the coefficient of thermal expansion and the distance betweenthe two reference points in the direction of elongation. One referencepoint is a predetermined position on the siding panel at a distance fromthe temperature indication scale, and the other is the spatial point ofthe indicated temperature or the spatial point that corresponds to theindicated temperature. The spatial point changes with panel temperatureso as to provide a gap spacing that changes with panel temperature.

The distance over which thermal expansion affects the gap spacing can bea distance between the potentially interfering edge 42 or 43 and aremote other reference on the panel 22. The remote point that ispertinent to determining the appropriate gap can be different indifferent embodiments, and might or might not be a point that is fixedrelative to the substrate or building wall on which the panel ismounted.

For example, the remote reference point can be the opposite or far edge72 of panel 22 (see FIG. 3). The panel 22, which can have one or pluralsimulated vertical courses and can be staggered as in FIG. 3, has anominal size such as four feet or six feet, etc., from the far edge 72to the near reference point. The near reference point can be one of thepotentially interfering edges 42, 43 at a butt joint. The near referencepoint alternatively can be the spatial position of the temperatureindicated on temperature sensor/indicator 62, or can be the spatialposition of a temperature indicating hatch mark 134 as in FIG. 9, thatis associated with a panel temperature. According to the invention, thedistance from the far reference point to the point of the indicated orhatch-marked current temperature (which changes as the temperaturechanges), corresponds to the extent of expansion and contraction of thesiding panel or other building component, according to the thermalexpansion characteristic of the panel and the current temperature of thepanel.

One aspect of the invention is that if the remote reference point isstationary and the temperature scale of the indicator 62 (e.g., FIG. 2)or the scale of its associated hatch marks 96, 134 (FIGS. 5, 9) definesthe near reference point, and further assuming that the layoutaccurately reflect the coefficient of expansion, then the activelyindicated temperature indication or the identified point on the hatching(either of which changes with temperature) remains stationary as thetemperature of panel 22 changes and the panel undergoes expansion orcontraction. Although absolute accuracy of course is preferred, theinvention is also applicable to a similar temperature indication that isonly approximate, because it is useful at least that the position of thetemperature indication point or the temperature-associated pointdefining the nominal position of edge 42 or 43, varies less than theextent to which the panel expands or contracts with temperature over thedirection of elongation of the panel between the remote and nearreference points. This aspect of the invention makes the temperatureindicator useful for setting the gap between panels. A smaller gap isindicated as the nominal gap between edges 42, 43 if the panel isrelatively warm. A larger gap is indicated when the panel is relativelycool.

The temperature scale or the temperature-associated gap scale hatchingare set out to extend and to define incremental gap spacing, in adirection substantially parallel to a direction of elongation, andpreferably is co-linear with a line between the remote reference pointand the temperature scale or hatch pattern. The higher temperatureindication points (which indicate a present state of relative expansion)are indicated on the end of the temperature scale or hatch pattern inthe direction that tends to shorten the distance between the referencepoints (a smaller inter-panel gap). The cooler temperatures (whichindicate a present state of contraction) are on the end of thetemperature scale or hatch pattern that would lengthen the distancebetween reference points (a larger inter-panel gap). In other words, thetemperature scale and/or hatching is laid out so that the difference inthe positions of two unequal indicated temperatures, is opposite fromthe difference in distance between the reference points that resultsfrom that expansion or contraction over that change in temperature. Thetemperature indications if used directly preferably are pitched by adistance that is equal and opposite to the effect of expansion, and ifused indirectly refer to hatch marks that are pitched by that distance.

Reference can be made to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, wherein thetemperature scale is spaced to directly identify the position of oneedge 42 at a gap. It is understood, however, that the same spacingrelationship is used indirectly in FIGS. 5 and 9, where the temperatureindication indirectly identifies the position of that edge at the gap ina substantially similar way. The temperature-sensor 62 in FIG. 2, andthe scale 64 it encompasses, advantageously are laid out on the apron 52adjacent to the abutting edge 43 of the endmost shingle (or perhaps someother similar potential point of interference facing along the directionof elongation of a course). The adjacent panel overlaps the apron andits edge 42 is preferably set during installation at a position thatreflects the current temperature indication point 75. As shown in FIG.2, the edge 42 in that case is placed directly on the indicatedtemperature position 75 shown by temperature sensor 62.

In a given installation, it is conceivable that a skilled installer maydecide to provide an extra gap for safety or perhaps to risk a smallergap than what is recommended (e.g., on the belief that the maximum paneltemperature will never be reached). Nevertheless, the invention providesa dependable indication that varies with temperature, of the minimumsize gap that will not result in interference if a rise in temperatureshould cause the panels 22 to expand.

The highest nominal temperature indicated on the temperature scale (onthe “H” side in FIG. 2) is a point at or close to the abutting edge 43of the endmost panel, e.g., siding shingle. The spacing at the highesttemperature determines the minimum width gap at the butt joint. In FIG.2, the indicated temperature 75 is closer to the cooler side (“C”) ofthe temperature scale, and the broken line edge 42 of the adjacent panelis aligned to the indicated temperature 75. If the two panel edges areto have the least possible gap, they should barely abut at the highesttemperature ever encountered. For design reasons it may be desirable tohave a visible gap at the highest temperature, but in any event, theinvention is useful for either or both of setting a gap that willprevent interference at the highest temperature, and also setting a gapthat is no larger than necessary. The position of the indicatedtemperature 75 as shown in FIG. 2 can be relied upon, at any temperaturein the scale, as a means to correctly gap the two panels to designspecifications.

The invention integrates a temperature sensor 62 and its indicator scalewith an expansion distance indicator. Alone or together with associatedhatching, the temperature sensor 62 provides a visual indication 75 ofthe current temperature sensed by the temperature sensor along adistance scale that represents the relative position of the indicatedpoint from a remote reference point at the indicated temperature. Thetemperature sensor 62 identifies a hatched position or visually relatesto an indicated position 75 that moves according to the currenttemperature by a distance equal to a difference of said expansion andcontraction as a function of temperature. In FIG. 2, this result isrealized because the pitch of the temperature indication scale (degreesper unit length in the direction of elongation back to the remotereference point) is chosen to equal the thermal expansion rate (lengthper degree of temperature) over the same length from the remotereference point to the temperature indication point. In otherembodiments, the pitch of the hatch scale referenced to temperature islikewise equal to the rate of thermal expansion.

As stated above, the remote reference point can be the far edge 72 of anominal siding panel as shown in FIG. 3, and the near reference pointcan be the temperature indication position. It is possible to employ theinvention to set a gap between reference points of which one is fixed inposition. The reference distance can extend between two points that bothare fixed in respective position, such as points on two panels that jointo one another with an inter-panel gap. Referring to FIG. 3, one remotereference point can be at a fixed point on the siding panel 22, such asa midpoint hole 82 at which a centrally placed fastener (not shown) isto be received without expansion clearance, thus fixing that hole 82 asa stationary reference position on the substrate (e.g., a buildingwall). Other fasteners (none being shown) are received in slots 36 thatprovide clearance in a direction proceeding away from the fixed point,and can be progressively longer proceeding away from the midpoint 82.Alternatively, the slots 36 can be more than long enough, for exampleproviding clearance for expansion to or from any temperature, such thata nail placed at a midpoint of the slot at any installation temperaturewill never interfere with the end of the slot at another paneltemperature. This avoids any issue of interference as to the nails orother fasteners.

The foregoing freedom to provide clearance using slots 36 is due to thefact that the nail strip containing fastener slots 36 is covered by anext higher later-installed panel (not shown) that overlaps the panelshown. Unlike the gaps at butt joints made endwise between panels 22,the overlapping joints are substantially concealed. Nevertheless, thepanels experience thermal expansion in all directions parallel to theplane of the substrate. It may be advantageous to employ the presentinvention not only to set the gaps of butt joints, but also to set apredetermined degree of vertical clearance in the vertical joints madebetween courses, e.g., using downwardly opening front hook flanges alongthe nail strip to engage upwardly opening rear hook flanges at thebottom edge of the courses. For example, the hatch marks 134 of FIG. 9also have a horizontal component that can be spaced to account fordifferential thermal expansion of siding panel 22 in a verticaldirection when installing an overlapping course (see, e.g., referenceposition 141 in FIG. 9). The invention is discussed primarily withrespect to the non-limiting example of expansion in theusually-horizontal direction of elongation between gapped butt joints.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, if a fastener is placed in midpointhole 82, thermal expansion and contraction of the panel will occur inboth opposite directions leading away from the fixed position defined bythe central fastener hole. In FIG. 3, it can be assumed that the nextadjacent butt jointed panel (not shown) also has a central fixedfastener hole 82 in the same way as the panel 22 shown. The thermalexpansion basis in that situation is the distance between the centers ofthe fixed fastener holes 82 of two abutted panels 22, less therelatively inconsequential dimension of the gap 44 between the panels(see also FIG. 2). Expansion more particularly occurs from the centerfixed fastener hole 82 to the edges 42, 43 of each panel, and acontribution is made by both panels 22 that meet at a butt joint.Therefore, the temperature indicator 62 is provided with an incrementaltemperature/gap pitch that represents thermal expansion over the lengthof one full panel, end to end, and not only expansion between thecentral fixed fastener hole 82 and the temperature indication point 75of the panel on which the temperature indicator 62 and/or its hatchingare mounted. In any case, the temperature indication point 75 and aremote reference (in that case the distance between successive holes 82or the end-to-end length of panel 22) are coordinated with the pitch ofthe temperature indicator to provide for a precise and correctly setgap. It should be apparent that it would also be possible to provide afixed fastener hole 82 at some other position, such as at one end ofpanel 22, with similar results.

One technique for setting the gap between panels 22 is to arrange forthe gap to just barely close at the highest expected temperature ever tobe encountered, perhaps leaving only minimal if any clearance at thattemperature. That technique results in the smallest possible gap overall the temperatures to be encountered, while ensuring sufficientclearance at the highest temperature. It is perhaps preferable due touncertainty as to the highest temperature to be encountered, and theadvisability of providing slightly more clearance than necessary forsafety, to space the panels at a slight nominal gap even at the highesttemperature. In that case, the gaps 32 between simulated shingles 28(see also FIG. 1) can have random widths, and some of the simulated gaps32 will be substantially the same size as the changeable gaps 44 betweenedges 42, 43, over the range of possible temperatures up or down to themaximum and minimum dimensions expected over the range of temperaturesencountered. This advantageously camouflages the gaps between the panels22, even if the gaps between the panels 22 remain equal (at equaltemperatures) and contract or expand as the temperature changes.

The temperature sensor/indicator 62 can be affixed permanently to eachsiding panel 22, for example as a temperature sensing strip that isbonded to the panel 22 or printed directly on the panel 22 or otherwisefixed integrally or at least adhered permanently. Alternatively, thetemperature sensor/indicator 62 can be temporarily placed using aremovable adhesive or simply held manually in place. If the temperaturesensor is provided for use with a hatching pattern such as hatch pattern96 in FIG. 5 or pattern 134 in FIG. 9, the hatching pattern likewise canbe adhesively affixed or printed or molded integrally into the panelmaterial. Preferably the hatching is placed in the range 64 as adistance scale to identify a nominal temperature-dependent gap spacing,but it is also possible that the hatching could be used merely as aspacing indicator that the installer transfers to the spacing betweenedges 42, 43 or is later used to assess such spacing at some otherarbitrary temperature.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the temperature indicator 62 is a lowcost reversible temperature indicator strip of the type used fordisposable thermometer strips in medical practice but configured toencompass the range of temperatures to be encountered by the buildingcomponent (e.g., exterior siding panel), and is affixed to the apron 52of a panel 22 by an adhesive layer 93. Such temperature indicators areknown for reversibly indicating the temperature of containers such asbeverage cups (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,756—Rice) or baby bottles (U.S.Pat. No. 6,544,614). A reversible temperature indicating label productis available from Dry Pak Industries, Studio City, Calif. Such labelsare available to represent temperature by producing visible colorvariations that occur at a particular sensed temperature, and areavailable in arrays with threshold temperatures ranging from −30° C. to120° C. (about −20° F. to 215° F.), which is more than sufficient forthe present application. The sensed temperatures are indicated atindicator zones spaced along strips comprising a thin polyester (mylar)web. The zones contain microencapsulated liquid crystal color changingink that can be specified for change of color at a nominal temperaturewith an accuracy of ±0.5° C. Used as a method to monitor the currenttemperature, these labels change colors indicating the actualtemperature, for example being labeled to read out a temperature where agreen bar appears. Other similar arrangements can also be used.

According to the present invention for example as shown in FIG. 4, thetemperature sensor 62 has a plurality of indicator zones 94, one of thezones 75 being visually activated at a given temperature. It is alsopossible to provide an indicator wherein all of the zones that are above(or below) their individual threshold temperatures become activated.

According to an inventive aspect, the indicator zones 94 of atemperature indicator as described can be spaced or arranged inassociation with pointing indicia or spaced hatching, at a pitch orspacing distance of distance per degree of temperature that reflects thethermal expansion characteristics of the siding panel 22 or otherassociated structure or component over a predetermined length. In FIG.4, the zones 94 are spaced in that way. In the alternative embodiment ofFIG. 5, the zones 94 are larger and spaced by a distance greater thanthe required expansion pitch. In FIG. 9, the indicator 132 provides anindication 75 that is referenced to a hatching pattern 134 wherein aparticular point 140 in the hatch pattern corresponds (in this case bynumeric label) to the temperature of the panel carrying sensor 132.

The zones can be presented in various ways that are associated orrelated to spacing. The zones can be defined by lines that are spaced(FIG. 2) or graphically related to lines that are spaced (FIG. 5) ornumerically related to such lines (FIG. 9). Other similar possibilitiesare also apparent and are encompassed by this invention, such asproviding temperature indicator zones that have different line lengthsor pad sizes (not shown), in particular such that a longer or wider padbecomes visible at a lower temperature and a shorter or narrower pad ata warmer temperature, those dimensions being transferred or compared tothe gap between edges 42, 43 as discussed.

The zones can form spaced marks or can correspond to connected hatchmarks 96 or labeled marks 134. The spatial range 64 need not extend toor correspond to the edge of indicator 62, and instead the temperatureindicator 62 can be spaced from an abutment edge 43 and/or the extremeedge of the panel as in FIG. 4. The indicator 62 can relate to areference position that is marked on indicator 62 as in the broken lineshown in FIG. 5 used to set a gap distance 44 in a range 64 as afunction of temperature. The mounting or pitch spacing of the indicatorcan be unrelated to expansion except by indicating a temperature as inFIGS. 8 and 9 that relates to a gap versus temperature hatching pattern134.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 4-7, the sensor 62 reads out an associatedtemperature. In FIG. 5, the spatial hatching 96 represents expansion andcan differ in pitch. In FIG. 2, the numerical temperature information iswholly omitted, the corresponding temperature dependent expansionposition 75 being visually distinguishable without reference totemperature. In FIG. 9, the temperature indicator 132 is independent ofthe gap hatching 134 but used to determine a nominal edge position 140.These provisions all enable correct gapping of the panels duringinstallation and/or later assessment of the panel gapping at the same orat different temperatures.

In FIG. 4, the temperature is indicated by a zone and more particularlyby an indicator spot 75 that changes appearance when activated, so as topoint out one zone 94 in an array of zones. In this embodiment, thetemperature indicator 62 comprises an affixed strip. There are fifteenpossible zones 94 for temperature indication as shown. It may besufficient to have fewer zones, for example ten zones representing tendegree increments or five zones representing twenty degrees, etc. Thetemperature indicating zones can be spread by a distance greater thanthe associated thermal expansion, if as shown in FIG. 5, the zones arerelated to expansion.

FIG. 5 shows that the indication areas of the temperature indicator neednot be limited to visibly changeable areas that are spaced or pitched bythe corresponding expansion distance, provided that the indicators thatchange visibly are associated with an indicia that is spaced or pitchedby the required distance. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the visiblechange zones 94, whereon one 75 identifies the current temperature aremore widely spaced than the associated distance hatch marks 96. Thezones 94 are associated with the distance hatches 96 so as to provide avisible display of a temperature-associated gap or distance. In thisexample, the nominal gap 44 at the indicated temperature is shown by thedepicted arrow. In the other embodiments, the visible part of thetemperature indicator zones can be spaced according to the thermalexpansion characteristic. In any event, the thermally responsivevisually changeable media operate to indicate the current temperature byidentifying a point representing a corresponding expansion along thedistance scale.

In the different figures, different temperature scales are shown, FIG. 5encompassing 20 to 100° F. and FIG. 9 encompassing 30 to 120° F. Sidingcan be specified for different temperatures in part simply by providingthe necessary gapping information to accommodated the range oftemperatures expected.

The invention is applicable to various building elements including butnot limited to exterior wall sheathing and decoration, protective roofsurfaces, decks and other applications. An important application of theinvention is in the case where the building component is an exteriorfinishing element subject to thermal expansion, especially a polymersiding panel as shown in FIGS. 1-4, for example of vinyl, polypropyleneor another polymeric material. One reference point is a referenceposition on the panel 22, such as an edge or a fixed point that receivesa fastener for mounting the panel (such as hole 82 in FIG. 3). The rangeof distances is placed for comparison between an edge 43 of the paneland an edge 42 of butt jointed adjacent panel as in FIG. 2, whereby theindicator zones and/or hatching determine a gap dimension 44 between thepanel and the adjacent panel at the current temperature. In otherapplications, the invention can be applied to other elements that needto be positioned to accommodate thermal expansion. The application topolymer materials such as siding is especially apt because suchmaterials are characterized by substantial thermal expansion over theusual ambient temperature range, and are sufficiently flexible that anyinterference can cause problems that are best avoided.

It is possible to affix mylar temperature indicator strips or tags aspart of the siding production process. It is also possible to print orotherwise affix markings that visibly change with temperature, directlyon the panel material. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the inventioncan be applied to a convenience contact temperature tool 120 that isprovided as a separate item that the installer can place temporarily atan abutting edge of a gap (e.g., against edge 43 in FIG. 2) whenmounting a panel. The temperature indicator tool 120 can have, inaddition to the temperature/expansion indicating zones 94, an L-shapedor tee-square form 122 that facilitates placement and alignment againstan abutting edge at the gap. The tee-portion can be sized to protrudeextend upwardly beyond the nailing strip when indicator 62 is placed asshown in FIG. 1, and easily extracted from between the panels as eachnext panel is placed and mounted. The temperature indicator need nothave an edge reference in the case of FIGS. 8 and 9, wherein thetemperature indicator 132 is provided to obtain a numerical temperaturereadout that is compared or transferred to the hatching 134 nearby.

The invention is applicable to other forms of temperature indicatorsbeside thermotropic chemicals, liquid crystal temperature indicators andthe like. As shown in FIG. 7, a more traditional form of thermometercomprising a glass tube 130 with a colored thermal expansion liquid canbe structured and dimensioned so that expansion with temperaturetranslates to a temperature readout, and optionally to a visibleindication of position wherein the temperature readout pitch cancorrespond to the associated thermal expansion pitch over apredetermined material length. In order to provide the requiredtemperature/distance pitch relationship, the changeable temperatureindication (in this case the edge of fluid in thermometer 130) needs tobe calibrated with the expansion of a panel over a predeterminedpertinent distance such as the length of panels in an expansiondirection between ends or from a fixed reference to a potentiallyinterfering edge 43. Other possible thermal expansion devices such asbimetal pointer devices, expanding thermal wax enclosures and the likealso are potentially configured for the application. As described withrespect to the previous embodiments, any of these can be placed more orless temporarily by manually holding them against a reference positionduring installation, such as an abutting edge at a gap, or by anadhesive attachment that is easily detached, or by a more permanentconnection, not only including adhesive arrangements but also integrallypermanent applications such as printing or embedding the visiblychangeable material in the siding panel. Also, any of these temperatureindicators can provide a numeric indication that is transferred to apitch defined by hatching.

Insofar as the invention can involve associating visual and spatiallycorrelated thermal expansion indicators, the invention also comprisesthe method of configuring and installing the siding as described, aswell as the combination of elements, namely a thermally expandableelement (e.g., a siding panel) a temperature indicator and one oranother of the foregoing means for associating temperature change withdistance to arrive at a thermal expansion estimation useful for settingor assessing relative position and cross-joint clearance.

The method therefore includes providing a siding panel 22 or similarelement that has a predetermined thermal expansion characteristic. Thischaracteristic is such that the siding panel expands and contracts withtemperature, thereby producing temperature variations in distancebetween a reference point and a comparison point on the panel, one suchreference point, for example, being one of two edges 42, 43 that mayabut and interfere with another surface such as an edge of an adjacentpanel. According to the invention, the current temperature 75 of thepanel is determined during one of installation of the panel andsubsequent assessment or testing. That is, the current temperature ofthe panel is sensed or measured. A temperature readout can be developedand displayed, for example in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius, andtransferred to a gap indicated by marking or hatching wherein thecurrent temperature is equated to a distance between the reference pointand the comparison point at said current temperature, according to thethermal expansion characteristic of the material and taking into accountthe distance over which such thermal expansion acts, e.g., from a fixedreference point to an edge or between opposite edges of the panel, etc.Alternatively, the temperature readout can be displayed graphically asan indicated point along a range the defines a nominal dimension orposition to vary as a function of temperature. Whether the temperaturereadout is directly presented as a point along a scale. or is referencedto a point on a scale, the scale is calibrated to expansion of apredetermined material length by temperature, and the temperature isthat of the panel as opposed to the ambient air or the like. The readoutand scale are thus useful to determine appropriate gapping duringinstallation.

Having thereby provided an indication of thermal expansion status anddisplaying or providing a measure to determine the clearance availablefor further expansion, it is possible to assess a position of thecomparison point relative to the reference point for and the capacity ofthe panel at that position to accommodate further expansion withheating, preferably without causing interference between edges, orcontraction with cooling, preferably without opening undue gaps.Inasmuch as the preferred arrangement shows the present expansion statusas a point along a range that might be reached with further heating orcooling, the invention enables assessment of the expansion situation ofthe panel over the full temperature range because it is known where inits expansion characteristic the panel currently lies, as a function ofits sensed temperature. In this way, the precision of an installationcan be assessed, even though the panels may presently be at a verydifferent temperature than they were when installed. For example, theobserved spacing and the current temperature should correspond to thecurrent position on the scale if the installation has been carried outproperly, regardless of a difference in temperature over the interim.

The temperature indication can be shown by providing a changeableindicator at a corresponding expansion position, or a movable indicatorthat corresponds to expansion position, or an indicator providing atemperature value to be applied to a gapping scale of hatch marks, orsome combination of changeable and/or movable parts and associatedpointers, lines or other indicia to assist in equating sensedtemperature to position.

The invention can be embodied for distribution as a combined sidingpanel as described, and a temperature indicator as described, namely thetemperature indication having a scale spanning a distance between atleast two temperature indicating positions that are spaced on thetemperature indication scale by a distance that is substantially equalto a distance by which the length of the siding panel between the spacedreference points differs at the two temperatures indicated by the twotemperature indicating positions. Alternatively, the invention can beembodied as a temperature/gap measurement instrument or tool thatcorresponds to the thermal expansion characteristics and length in andirection of elongation, according to the specifications of anycorresponding siding panel or other element that complies with suchexpansion characteristics. In the event that siding material such aspolypropylene for injection molding has expansion characteristics thatare nearly equal, the temperature-to-expansion tool can be configuredfor any such siding material having a predetermined nominal referencedistance.

In any case, the temperature/expansion indicator tool is associated witha siding panel or with various siding panels that have reference pointschosen from the group consisting of an end of the siding panelassociated with a joint, an end of the siding panel opposite from an endassociated with the joint, a marked point on the siding panel, afastener reception point on the siding panel, a measured distance from apoint on the siding panel, and a structural point in a pattern of thesiding panel, wherein the material and there reference distances aresuch that the tool at least substantially represents the expansioncharacteristics of the siding by a spatial presentation.

The invention has been disclosed in connection with certain examples andembodiments but is not limited to the particular constructions hereindisclosed and shown in the drawings, but also comprises anymodifications or equivalents within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A siding installation method, comprising providing a first and secondbuilding component, one of said components comprising at least one panelcharacterized by a predetermined thermal expansion characteristic in arange of temperatures over which said panel expands and contracts withtemperature, said predetermined thermal expansion characteristic causinga variation in distance between a reference point on said one of thecomponents and a comparison point on the panel; determining a currenttemperature of the panel during one of installation and testing, bymeasuring said current temperature using a temperature sensor that isone of integral with and affixed to the panel; wherein the currenttemperature of the panel and the thermal expansion characteristiccorrespond to a distance between the reference point and the comparisonpoint at said current temperature, and wherein the thermal expansioncharacteristic is such that a position of the comparison point relativeto the reference point changes during subsequent changes in atemperature of the panel; and, affixing said one of the first and secondcomponents to a structure at a position relative to an other of thefirst and second components so as to accommodate the thermal expansioncharacteristic during said subsequent changes in temperature of thepanel.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparison point falls in arange of distances from the reference point and the comparison pointcorresponds to a point in a corresponding range of panel temperaturesaccording to said thermal expansion characteristic, and furthercomprising indicating a point on the range of distances corresponding tothe current temperature.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein saidindicating of the point on the range of distances comprises placing atemperature sensor over the range of distances wherein the temperaturesensor has a temperature scale corresponding to a scale of indicatordistance that corresponds to the range of distances corresponding to thecurrent temperature sensor.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thetemperature sensor comprises a movable indicator having an expansionmaterial for adjusting an indicated position corresponding to thecurrent temperature.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the temperaturesensor comprises an array of visible indication points activated torepresent the current temperature.
 6. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising placing the temperature sensor at a predetermined position atan edge of one of the building components, for indicating a spacing froman edge of an other of said building components that accommodates saidpredetermined thermal expansion characteristic during the subsequentchanges in temperature of the panel, and affixing the first and secondcomponents to the structure at such spacing.
 7. The method of claim 2,wherein indicating the point on the range of distances comprisesreferencing a temperature readout value to a position on a hatch patternhaving marks placed to represent position versus temperature.
 8. Aninstallation method for a roof covering component, comprising providinga first and second building component, one of said components comprisingat least one roofing component characterized by a predetermined thermalexpansion characteristic in a range of temperatures over which saidroofing component expands and contracts with temperature, saidpredetermined expansion characteristic causing a variation in distancebetween a reference point on the roofing component and a comparisonpoint on the roofing component; determining a current temperature of theroofing component during one of installation and testing, by measuringsaid current temperature using a temperature sensor that is one ofintegral with and affixed to the roofing component; wherein the currenttemperature of the roofing component and the thermal expansioncharacteristic correspond to a distance between the reference point andthe comparison point at said current temperature, and wherein thethermal expansion characteristic is such that a position of thecomparison point relative to the reference point changes duringsubsequent changes in a temperature of the roofing component; and,affixing said one of the first and second components to a structure at aposition relative to an other of the first and second components so asto accommodate the thermal expansion characteristic during saidsubsequent changes in temperature of the roofing component.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the comparison point falls in a range ofdistances from the reference point corresponding to a range of componenttemperatures according to said thermal expansion characteristic, andfurther comprising indicating a point on the range of distancescorresponding to the current temperature.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein said indicating of the point on the range of distances comprisesplacing a temperature sensor over the range of distances wherein thetemperature sensor has a temperature scale corresponding to a scale ofindicator distance that corresponds to the range of distancescorresponding to the current temperature sensor.
 11. The method of claim10, wherein the temperature sensor comprises an array of visibleindication points activated to represent the current temperature. 12.The method of claim 10, further comprising placing the temperaturesensor at a predetermined position at an edge of one of the buildingcomponents, for indicating a spacing from an edge of an other of saidbuilding components that accommodates said predetermined expansioncharacteristic during the subsequent changes in temperature of theroofing component, and affixing the first and second components to thestructure at such spacing.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein indicatingthe point on the range of distances comprises referencing a temperaturereadout value to a position on a hatch pattern having marks placed torepresent position versus temperature.
 14. A method for accommodatingthermal expansion of building components, comprising providing abuilding component chosen from the group consisting of a sidingcomponent, a wall sheathing component, a roof covering component and adeck component, wherein the building component is characterized by apredetermined thermal expansion characteristic in a range oftemperatures over which said building component expands and contractswith temperature, said predetermined expansion characteristic causing avariation in distance between a reference point on said buildingcomponent and a comparison point on said building component; determininga current temperature of the building component during one ofinstallation and testing, by measuring said current temperature using atemperature sensor that is one of integral with and at least temporarilyaffixed to said building component; wherein the current temperature ofthe building component and the thermal expansion characteristiccorrespond to a distance between the reference point and the comparisonpoint at said current temperature, and wherein the thermal expansioncharacteristic is such that a position of the comparison point relativeto the reference point changes during subsequent changes in atemperature of the component; and, affixing a point on the buildingcomponent to a structure at a position that places the reference pointand the comparison point so as to position an edge of the buildingcomponent between a maximum and a minimum clearance from an edge on atleast one of the structure and a second said building component, duringthermal expansion and contraction of said building component withsubsequent changes in temperature of the building component.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the comparison point falls in a range ofdistances from the reference point corresponding to a range oftemperatures according to said expansion characteristic, and furthercomprising indicating a point on the range of distances corresponding tothe current temperature.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein saidindicating of the point on the range of distances comprises placing atemperature sensor over the range of distances wherein the temperaturesensor has a temperature scale corresponding to a scale of indicatordistance that corresponds to the range of distances corresponding to thecurrent temperature sensor.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein thetemperature sensor comprises an array of visible indication pointsactivated to represent the current temperature.
 18. The method of claim16, further comprising placing the temperature sensor at a predeterminedposition at an edge of the building component, for indicating a spacingthat accommodates said predetermined thermal expansion characteristicduring the subsequent changes in temperature of the building component,and affixing the building component to the structure to obtain suchspacing between said edge and another location on the structure.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, wherein indicating the point on the range ofdistances comprises referencing a temperature readout value to aposition on a hatch pattern having marks placed to represent positionversus temperature.
 20. The method of claim 14, further comprisingaffixing a point on said building component relative to a buildingstructure when the building component is at a current temperature, so asto position an edge on said building component at at least one of apredetermined minimum clearance distance from an adjacent edge of asecond said building component when at a higher temperature than thecurrent temperature and a predetermined maximum gap distance from theadjacent edge when at a lower temperature than the current temperature.